Serving Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Lake Nona, Harmony, Narcoossee, BVL Lifestyles Editor Peter Covino reviews The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey... Page B-1Lifestyles Girls basketball district, OBC races heating up... Page A-8Sports 116TH YEAR SATURDAY EDITION 50 CENTS DECEMBER 15, 2012 CommunityFor the latest activities, events and classes, see...Page B-4 Gingerbread decorating contest debut in KissimmeeIt will be an evening of old-fashioned holiday entertainment and fun Tuesday as Kissimmee Main Street and the Kissimmee Utility Authority host the first downtown gingerbread house decorating contest. See page A-5 Free Celebration of Carols concert set for tonight in KissimmeeCommunity residents are invited to attend this years celebration of holiday classics, a performance consisting of a 50 piece choir accompanied by the sounds of a full 30 piece orchestra, and while seating is first come first served, admission is free. See page A-2 Kissimmee Index LocalPa ge A4, Ed itor ia l Pa ge A8, Sp or ts Pa ge B5, Co mmuni ty Pa ge B1, Li fest yles Pa ge A2, Local ne ws Pa ge C1, Classi ed Pa ge C3, L egals Do you plan to use public transportation when SunRail comes to Kissimmee? No, I prefer my car. Yes, I will. Im not sure. I dont have an opinion. Vote at www.around osceola.com Results from the Dec. 8 Question of the week: Do you think this the state of Florida should ban texting and driving? Yes, its dangerous. 98.8% No, thats too much government. 1.1% Im not sure yet. 0.1% I dont have an opinion. 0% News-Gazette Photo/Andrew SullivanChildren of all ages can frolic in the foamy faux snow during the Now Snowing Nightly event in downtown Celebration. The snow falls on the hour at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. along Market Street, with a Santa photo opportunity carolers and a skating rink also available for wintery fun.A snow show By Fallan Patterson Staff W riter Incoming Osceola County Clerk of Court Armando Ramirez Monday notified members of outgoing Clerk Malcom Thompsons executive team of their impending termination. In letters delivered Monday to five employees of Thompsons team, Ramirez said their services would no longer be needed under his administration. Those affected are C. Rodolfo Celis, chief general counsel and public information officer; Deputy Clerk and Chief of Staff Kimberley Hennecy; Informational Technology Director John Overstreet; Assistant Administrator Elizabeth Wiley; and Latifa Ramdani, Thompsons personal administrative aide. Their last day at the clerks office is Jan. 7, the day before Ramirez is scheduled to be sworn in. It is not unreasonable that when an elected official takes office that there are staff changes with the new administration, Marvin Cortner, Ramirezs new public information officer, s aid via email. The budget would not allow Mr. Ramirez to keep current staff and at the same time bring in people he believes are needed to improve the operation of the office. The move is part of Ramirezs plan to streamline the clerks office, including a reorganization of the office by cutting the number of departments headed by directors to three rather than six. What will happen is that some departments under Mr. Ramirez will be headed by an administrator rather than a director. Directors make more money than administrators and typically have more people reporting to them, Cortner said. Ramirez said in a press release he believes the changes will be positive for the office and he wanted to notify the affected employees as soon as possible so they could start job searches. The staffing changes will be the result of a number of factors, including the budget and the need to streamline the clerks office, Cortner said. In addition, Mr. Ramirez believes it essential to include people in his administration who Clerk-elect Ramirez to terminate five office staffers Ramirez See Ramirez, page A-3Osceola County Sheriffs deputies are still searching for a father accused of kidnapping his toddler daughter, even after the girl was located with relatives Monday. Two-year-old Miley George, who was taken by her father Archie Yobnovich on Dec. 7 during a routine visitation, was found at her fathers relatives Orlando-area home. Osceola County Sheriffs d etectives, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Recovery Unit, found the girl in good health. Miley was returned to her mother, Tilly George, in Kissimmee, Sheriffs spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain said, adding Yobnovich fled his relatives home before deputies found the girl. And is still on the run. According to authorities, Yobnovich took his daughter for a walk at about 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 from her mothers home on Corvette Lane in Kissimmee and never returned. The father had promised to return the girl by 7 p.m. but failed to do so. George, who has primary custody, later called authorities. Deputies attempted to contact Yobnovich but were unable to locate him. Based on the information provided by George, a felony warrant for kidnapping was issued for Yobnovich. Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriffs Office at 407-348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Police newsFather who abducted daughter still sought Yobnovich By Fallan Patterson Staff W riter An overwhelming majority of Osceola County public school teachers were labeled as effective or highly effective under the states new evaluation system that will determine the educators pay based on merit. In data release by the Florida Department of Education last week, 3,253 out of the Osceola County School Districts 3,493 teachers scored an effective or higher on the evaluations. The evaluations are based on an average score of the combination of the teachers instructional practices in the classroom setting including developing lesson plans and the student growth factor, which is either the students score on the Florida Comprehen-Osceola teachers score high under new state system See T eachers, page A-6 By Ken Jackson Staff W riter In the coming years, mass transit in the area will come down to this: If you can get to downtown Kissimmee, you can get anywhere in Central Florida, including easy access to a train or a bus to points farther away. The city of Kissimmee, Osceola County and the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Lynx) have partnered to construct the Lynx Multimodal Center in Kissimmee, a project to take shape just north of the existing Greyhound Bus and Amtrak train station. Lynx CEO John Lewis Jr. Wednesday joined local dignitaries in breaking ground on the project that could open as soon as the fall of 2013. When complete, the eight-bay transfer facility will be the hub for all Osceola County transportation services. Lynx will utilize the bays on a constant basis, with up to 17 bus routes passing through it. Amtrak and Greyhounds facility will be within a short walk, as will SunRails station when the phase II link of the transit train line that will eventually stretch from Deltona in the north to Poinciana in the south begins local service in 2016. Designed with the environment in mind, two large oak trees on the site will be preserved, and solar lighting will eventually Construction of Kissimmee mass transit project shifted into high gear News-Gazette Photo/Andrew SullivanFrom left, Kissimmee Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, Mayor Jim S wan, Lynx CEO John Lewis, O sceola County Commissioners Frank A ttkisson and Brandon Arrington, Deputy County Manager Beth K night, Kissimmee Commissioner Sara Shaw, Kissimm ee M ain Street Executive Director Kelly Trace and Kissimmee City M anager Mike Steigerwald were on site Dec. 12 to break ground for the new m ultimodal terminal in downtown Kissimmee. See Construction, page A-3

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Page A2, By Victor Ocasio For the News-Gazette Between the hustle and bustle of finding the best gifts and the stresses of preparing for the holiday season, making time for whats truly important can be difficult for any family. Thats precisely why the First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee is presenting its yearly Christmas concert today. Community residents are invited to attend this years celebration of holiday classics, a performance consisting of a 50 piece choir accompanied by the sounds of a full 30 piece orchestra, and while seating is first come first served, admission is free. The choir, consisting of singers from both the churchs Chancel group and the Osceola Center for the Arts Center Singers, will perform composer Joseph Martins Celebration of Carols tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. While the concert incorporates more than a dozen holiday classics, Scott Weyrauch, director of music ministry for the church and producer of the concert event, said audience members will be pleasantly surprised. People like music they know, said Weyrauch. So if we can present the music that everybody knows in a new and exciting way, it makes it even more enjoyable for people. Weyrauch has been rehearsing with his choir and musicians since September, and while the lifelong singer who has directed the annual show for three years couldnt be more excited for this weekends performance, he admits that the task of producing and directing such an event is not without its difficulties. Everything has to come together at the same point in time to make it happen, said Weyrauch. When one thing is missing, everything falls apart. But Im very fortunate to have a lot of people that help and pitch-in in different areas. With the aid of narration by Pastor Bob Wooten and with solo performances by youth singers Madison Adams, 11, and Megan Greco, 12, the evening of music tells the story of Christmas in a grand and heartfelt way, all set to the backdrop of the churchs surprisingly spacious and beautiful sanctuary. Music in general has a powerful way of impacting people emotionally, said Weyrauch. I think more than any other type of music, Christmas music reaches people at just about a deeper level than anything else. After the concert, attendees are invited to stop by the churchs Fellowship Hall for complementary coffee and desserts, a perfect ending to a night of great local music. I think all of us get so busy during Christmas and December, running around buying presents, going to stores, and trying to pack as much as we possibly can, that sometimes were afraid to sit back and enjoy a moment, said Weyrauch. Maybe this concert will provide that moment for people to take a breath and enjoy what Christmas is really about. The First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee is located at 101 W. Dakin Ave. For more information about performance times, call 407-847-3700. Free Celebration of Carols concert set for tonight in Kissimmee Submitted PhotoCommunity residents are invited to attend this years celebration of holiday classics, a performance consisting of a 50 piece choir accompanied by the sounds of a full 30 piece orchestra, and while seating is first come first served, admission is free.

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Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page A3 power the 14 bus shelters. The Southern Transportation Multimodal Facility, as Lynx calls it, will be constructed on a plot of land bordered by Pleasant Street, Neptune Road, Sproule Avenue and the railroad tracks. The project will cost $2.75 million, factoring in construction and land acquisition, and will be funded by Lynx-secured bonds. And its money well spent, Lewis said. This is an investment not only in public transit but in the future of Osceola County and the citizens who live and play here, he said. The train is literally coming down the track. The facility will vastly improve mass transportation in the county, but that isnt the only reason the local government officials showed joy at Wednesdays ground-breaking. The project has been a concept for growth for over a decade; Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan said he knew about the hub back when he was an Osceola County commissioner, closer to 1993, when the city started its revitalization of the downtown corridor. We were talking about multimodal before that was even a term, he said. This facility is going to be great addition to what weve already done. County Commissioner Brandon Arrington, who until recently sat on the executive boards of Lynx, MetroPlan and SunRail, said investment in transit is exactly what the immediate area needs to balance its sprawl-like growth that tax its roadways. He specifically cited the one-way-in, one-way-out nature of Pleasant Hill Road to much of Poinciana. We cant just keep widening roadways, he said. Now we can offer people an transfer point to move than anywhere in the state of Florida. This is an alternative to an hour and a half commute from Poinciana to downtown Orlando. Arrington said routes to Medical City, home to the recently completed Nemours Childrens Hospital and the VA medical facility under construction adjacent to Lake Nona, will be available from the intermodal hub. Were going to be the first ones to have routes to there. Orange County doesnt even have them planned yet, he said. I heard from an Orange County commissioner who wasnt happy about that, that we were taking their jobs. Its really just taking advantage of an opportunity. Its about opening up access, while at the same time well be able to bring more people to downtown Kissimmee to shop, eat and enjoy the parks and what is has to offer. The thought of bringing more people to downtown Kissimmee to patronize its shops, restaurants and other business is music to the ears of Kissimmee Main Street Executive Director Kelly Trace. Ive been hearing that this is been in the works for 10 years, she said. Now that its going to happen Im very, very excited. fit into a planned reorganizati on, including staff that better reflect the diversity of the Osceola County community. Cortner is part of the new executive team Ramirez will bring with him to replace the employees notified Monday of their termination. Arthur Beau Osborne, who lost against Rayelynne Ketchum in the Republican primary for the clerk position, will replace Hennecy as d eputy clerk and chief of staff. Thats all were prepared to announce at this time because (the other positions) are not official until after (Ramirez) is sworn into office, Cortner said. No additional terminations are expected for the office at this time, Cortner said. RamirezContinued from Page A-1 ConstructionContinued from Page A-1 I llustration/Osceola C ountyWhen complete, the eightbay transfer facility will be the hub for all Osceola County transportation services. Lynx will utilize the bays on a constant basis, with up to 17 bus routes passing through it. Amtrak and Greyhounds facility will be within a short walk, as will SunRails station when the phase II link of the transit train line that will eventually stretch from Deltona in the north to Poinciana in the south begins local service in 2016. 121512.SNG 112212.TNG 120812.TNG

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Page A4, Superstorm Sandy followed by a Noreaster recently battered the northeast leaving thousands without power. The restoration phase was going to be a rigorous and possibly dangerous situation. But that didnt stop a brave traveling band of Kissimmee Utility Authority line workers from putting their safety on the line to help a sea of strangers placed at the mercy of Mother Nature. For that kind of dedication, the KUA Board of Directors honored the 15 workers with special recognition at its meeting Wednesday. And we believe it was a well-deserved honor. These crews were asked to leave their families to journey into the unknown to help restore power in November. One crew over was there more than two weeks restoring power in the Lehigh Valley region near Allentown, Pa. and on Long Island after Sandy roared ashore in the Northeast on Oct. 29 The first crew left Kissimmee a day later, and reported to the Allentown area, working in chilly conditions. When released from there, they were assigned to New York to help the Long Island Power Authority restore service to some citizens who had been out of power for more than a week. And just when they thought the work was hard enough, the Noreaster that followed on Sandys heels brought frigid temperatures, brisk winds and six inches of snow, something many of these Floridians had never seen in person. When their time was complete, the crews had spent 17 days on the detail and logged 3,000 miles of travel and 3,000 man-hours of work. They had to deal with old trees and infrastructure, which was ill prepared to face the conditions, a tropical system like Sandy brought. Accommodations also were sometimes questionable. In Long Island they originally slept in a large wall tent that would eventually get ripped to shreds by the Noreaster and its 60 mph winds. We believe the KUA team sent a message that we need to help others in need when we can. Well done. Submit l etters to t he editor to O sceola News-Gazette, 108 Church St., Kissimmee, FL 34741. If you wish to fax your letter to the newspaper, the number is 407-846-8516. Email letters to news@ osceolanewsgazette.com. No more than one letter per writer will be published each month. An individual will be allowed to submit one letter of rebuttal if he or an organization he represents is the subject of a letter to the editor. All letters should be no more than 500 words and should include the name, address and daytime phone number of the writer for verification purposes. The News-Gazette will not publish the writers phone number. Letters to the editor are published on Thursdays and Saturdays. They also may be published in other Florida Sun Publications, including on the News-Gazette website. If you have any questions about letters to the editor or the Opinion page, contact Editor Brian McBride at 321-402-0436. Email at bmcbride@osceolanewsgazette.com. Marijuana will soon be legal depending on your definition of soon. But there are some aspects of its legalization that even the most ardent pot advocates have not thought out. Voters in Washington and Colorado last month approved ballot initiatives permitting people to puff for pleasure, removing the pretense of a medical need. The federal government has not yet decided whether to intervene and enforce national laws against pot. But full legalization is coming, eventually. There will be a few holdout states, just as some stayed dry when Congress repealed Prohibition. But young voters, particularly, are more free about what adults do privately, and, if theyre not personally using it, they have pot-smoking friends who havent suffered Reefer Madness. Who would have thought 20 or 30 years ago that the U.S. Supreme Court would have on next years docket two cases challenging definitions of marriage? Racial integration and women voting once seemed far fetched, and some politicians scored political points fighting them, but public opinion prevailed. Marijuana is a little different, though, and theres more to it than just lifting restrictions. Critics call marijuana a gateway drug, for one thing, leading to stronger, addictive substances. Whether that is true, legalizing pot would certainly open the door for lawmakers to experiment with harder stuff. Making marijuana legal moves the benchmark. After pot, why not hashish? Why not various pills that, in a controlled setting, just make you feel good? LSD? Then, why not cocaine? After all, as they say of marijuana, people who want to play with their brains and central nervous systems are going to get the stuff. Violent criminal cartels will supply it, burdening police and courts with millions of cases and saddling citizens with felony records. So why not legalize it, regulate it, assure product purity, tax it and use the revenue for education, health care and other good social purposes? Washington state expects something like $500 million in marijuana tax revenue. But if growers are making big profits off pot, the first thing theyll do is to hire lobbyists and spread around campaign contributions, to wheedle their way out of as much tax liability as possible. Every industry does that, so claims of high revenue windfalls may be a bong dream. Theres an article of faith among some marijuana advocates that, once pot is legal, the drug gangs go away. Why do they think that? Looking back, bootleggers largely vanished when Prohibition ended. But abuse of alcohol by teen-agers and alcoholics has not gone away. Smuggling of untaxed liquor and cigarettes is still a racket. Crooks will find ways of selling cheaper, untaxed, more-potent marijuana, as they do today. And, of course, theyll continue selling whatever remains illegal. A likely consequence of marijuana legalization will be an increase in impaired driving. Its pretty easy to spot a drunk, and DUI laws set a presumption of impairment the familiar .08 blood-alcohol level in Florida. So the states will have to develop a reliable and reasonable threshold of unsafe marijuana consumption. The aforementioned lobbyists will have full-employment legislative sessions as legislators work on that. Ive known users who insist that pot sharpens their senses or, at worst, puts them in a mellow mood and does not distort time and space perceptions for a motorist. Yeah, well, a lot of social drinkers claim a couple belts makes them better drivers, too. And what of employment law? The state and many private companies have drug-free workplace policies, requiring job applicants, and sometimes employees, to pee in a cup. Could they hold it against you, if you smoked a legal joint four or five days ago, or would pot be treated like alcohol? Lots of companies dont hire cigarette smokers, to hold down insurance costs, so would the same rule apply to a weekend pot user? Speaking of tobacco, what about product liability? You cant market a dish towel in this country without being sued by someone claiming it caused a dislocated duodenum. Do you really think pot billionaires will escape the trial bars notice? Will Congress or state legislators provide legal protections for this budding industry? So if youre planning to go into the marijuana business, as soon as its legalized, you might want to ask Joe Camel what happens a few years down the road. Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter who worked for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He can be contacted at billcotterell@gmail.com.OPINION OPINION Our View Got a gripe? Having the power to make a differenceA few words to ponder as we sail toward the fiscal cliff. Those words would be: That was then, this is now. Strip away the false piety and legalistic hair splitting offered by Republican lawmakers rationalizing their decision to abandon a pledge that they will never ever, ever, ever vote to raise taxes, and thats pretty much what the explanation boils down to. Rep. Peter King says he understood the pledge, propounded by the almighty Grover Norquist and his group Americans for Tax Reform, to obligate him for only one term. Apparently, he thought it had to be renewed, like a drivers license. S en. Lindsey Graham says that if Democrats agree to entitlement reform, I will violate the pledge ... for the good of the country -a stirring statement of patriotism and sacrifice that warms your heart like a midnight snack of jalapeno chili fries. In other words: bull twinkies. If you want the truth of why a trickle of GOP lawmakers is suddenly willing to blaspheme the holy scripture of their faith, its simple. The pledge used to be politically expedient. Now it is not. This is not, by the way, a column in defense of the Norquist pledge. The only thing dumber than his offering such a pledge was scores of politicians signing it, an opinion that has nothing to do with the wisdom or lack thereof of raising taxes and everything to do with the fact that one ought not, as a matter of simple common sense, make hard, inflexible promises on changeable matters of national import. It is all well and good to stand on whatever ones principles are, but as a politician -a job that, by definition, requires the ability to compromise -you dont needlessly box yourself in. Never say never. Much less, never ever, ever, ever. So this revolution against he who must be obeyed, however modest, is nonetheless welcome. It suggests reason seeping like sunlight into places too long cloistered in the damp and dark of ideological rigidity. But it leaves an observer in the oddly weightless position of applauding a thing and being, simultaneously, disgusted by it. Has politics ever seemed more ignoble than in these clumsy, selfserving attempts to justify a deviation from orthodoxy? They have to do this, of course, because the truth -- I signed the pledge because I knew it would help me get elected, but with economic ruin looming and Obama re-elected on a promise to raise taxes on the rich and most voters supporting him on that, its not doing me as much good as it once did -is unpretty and unflattering. In this awkward about-face, these lawmakers leave us wondering once again whether the vast majority of them -right and left, red and blue, Republican and Democrat -reall y believe in anything, beyond being reelected. There is a reason Congress approval ratings flirted with single digits this year. There is a reason a new Gallup poll finds only 10 percent of Americans ranking Congress high or very high in honesty and ethics. Lawyers rank higher. Advertisers rank higher. Even journalists rank higher. This is the sad pass to which years of congressional grandstanding, fact spinning, cookie jar pilfering and assorted harrumphing and pontificating have brought us. And while a certain cynicism toward its leaders functions as a healthy antigen in the body politic, it cannot be good for either the nation or its leaders that so many of them are held in plain contempt. The moral malleability exemplified by the likes of King and Graham will not help. Perhaps we should ask them to sign a new pledge: I will always tell you what I think and what I plan to do in plain English, regardless of whether you like it or it benefits me politically. But no lawmaker would make that pledge. And who would believe them if they did? Leonard Pitts is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132. Readers may contact him via e-mail at lpitts@ miamiherald.com. Their view OSCEOLA NEWS-GAZETTE(USPS Number 513540) (ISSN 1060-1244) Published each Thursday and Saturday for $52 per year, by Sun Publications of Florida. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Kissimmee, FL. Postmaster: Send address changes to: News-Gazette, 108 Church St., Kissimmee, FL 34741. The Osceola News-Gazette is published by Sun Publications, a division of Independent Publications. Call 407-846-7600. Fax 407-846-8516. Email at news@osceolanews gazette.com. The Osceola News-Gazette is on the World Wide Web at: www.aroundosceola.com.Year 116 No. 95 Publisher/Ad Director TOM KIRK Editor BRIAN McBRIDE Sports Editor RICK PEDONE Lifestyles Editor PETER COVINO Chief Photographer ANDREW SULLIVAN Circulation Manager KATHY BECKHAM Production Manager STEVE KRAUS Accounting Manager LOUISE MCCLEAN Inside Sales Manager KELLY TATMAN Leonard PittsTribune Media Never ever, ever, ever... Guest columnHow legal weed might wash in Florida Bill CotterellFlorida Voices Y our view Setback To the Editor: While Poinciana has been making strides over the last few years and getting the attention that an area with a population of over 53,000 residents deserves, the week of Dec. 3 will go down in the history books as a major setback for the area. With transportation issues the major concern for Poinciana residents, they believed their incumbent, Commissioner Brandon Arrington, when he stated during this past election that in his role as chairman of MetroPlan and board member of SunRail and Lynx he was in a better position to serve the residents of Poinciana than his challenger. But just a month after his re-election, Commissioner Arrington, landed his first ever real job in the private sector with a company that was just awarded a major contract with MetroPlan. While nobody is saying that Commissioner Arringtons actions are illegal, the coincidence of this company landing the contract and the hiring of Commissioner Arrington sure does give the appearance of impropriety. Commissioner Arrington must have come to the same realization as he has resigned from all transportation related boards (MetroPlan, Lynx and SunRail). This is a major blow to Poinciana. The commissioner who will replace him on these boards will not be directly representing Poinciana or have Poincianas interests foremost in their thoughts or even fully understand or appreciate the needs of a community that they have no connection to. Community leaders will be back to square one in their fight for better transportation service for the area wiping out all the positive strides that they have made over the past few years. Unfortunately, this event is the result of voters selecting an individual to represent them who makes them promises based upon what he thinks they want to hear but is more interested in personal gain than public service. Elected officials have to remember that it is a privilege to serve their fellow residents and that residents are the employer and elected officials are the employees. Personal agendas have no place in government service. It should be an honor to serve their fellow citizens and not just a stepping stone to advance their own career or pocket. As voters we would all be better off if we forget about the promises and the rhetoric candidates speak and look at past actions and the true history as told by unbiased third parties when selecting who will represent our interests. Jeffery A. Goldmacher Kissimmee

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Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page A5 By Peter Covino Lifestyles Editor It will be an evening of old-fashioned holiday entertainment and fun Tuesday as Kissimmee Main Street and the Kissimmee Utility Authority host the first downtown gingerbread house decorating contest. More than 20 downtown area businesses were given boxed gingerbread kits this week, said Main Street event corridor Kayla Burton, to create a unique design that reflects their business. While the kits are all the same, business owners can add little touches that will reflect their own type of business she said. Each business can add their own little twist, she said. The contest will take place at the weekly Kissimmee Valley Farmers Market Tuesday and market attendees can vote for their favorite house. Participating businesses include Puzzles Party Shop, Massageworks Salon and Day Spa, Quokka Coffee, 3 Sisters Speakeasy, Broadway Pizza Bar, Central Florida Business Corporation and Toho Water Authority. KUA is excited to sponsor this inaugural gingerbread house contest, said KUA spokesman Chris Gent. The event will bring some holiday cheer to the farmers market while showcasing the unique and creative decorating talents of our local businesses. Its going to be a great time for everyone. All of t he gingerbread houses will be displayed at the market from 4 to 7 p.m. All voters will receive a free cup of hot chocolate and the winning business will receive a trophy. There will be live music as well as an edible kids craft provided by Toho Water Authority. Youngsters can make their own edible holiday craft at the Toho Water Authority booth, Burton said. The Kissimmee Valley Farmers Market operates every Tuesday in front of the Kissimmee Civic Center and focuses on providing the community with fresh Florida produce. The Tuesday market will be a good place for shoppers to get items for Christmas The Osceola News-Gazette is seeking the help of talented freelance writers in Osceola County. If you know the community, and would like to report on events in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana and Lake Nona and have your work featured in the pages of the Osceola News-Gazette, we would like to meet you. Our reporting focuses mainly on community events and local businesses, but successful candidates also may be able to contribute to the sports or entertainment sections, so you should be comfortable writing about a variety of topics. Freelancers must possess a valid Florida driver license, reliable transportation and be available to schedule assignments and deliver work on deadline. Additional skills would ideally include photography, knowledge of written Associated Press style and an outgoing, friendly and professional attitude when conducting business. If interested, submit a resume and samples of any published writing experience you have c/o Editor Brian McBride, Osceola News-Gazette 108 Church St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 or email to bmcbride@osceolanewsgazette. Want to be a freelance writer for the Gazette? Osceola Heritage Park projectNews-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan Work has begun on a 10,000-square-foot storage facility at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park, and should be completed shortly after the end of the year, OHP General Manager Robb Larson said. He noted that this is the first of more planned upgrades to the facility. The storage area will enhance the flexibility of the events taking place in the arena, better cater to clients who hold events there, and more effectively manage labor costs.Gingerbread decorating house contest debuts in Kissimmee See Contest, page A-6 120612.TNG St Cloud Highway 192 (Across from Home Depot)407-891-2213 www.thompsons-jewelers.com 121512.SNG Store Wide Christmas Sale Your Diamond Engagement Ring Store Since 1948

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Page A6, By Ken Jackson Staff W riter Two suspects wanted for fleeing a retail theft on Nov. 4 were arrested on Nov. 6, but not after one rammed a pair of police vehicles, fled traveling in the wrong direction on busy roads, and was finally caught by an Osceola County Sheriffs K-9 after a romp through a swamp. On Nov. 6, Osceola detectives received information from the Polk County Sheriffs Office which helped identify James Darren Morris, 28, of Orlando, as the suspect involved in the incident at a Walmart in Kissimmee in which he was fleeing a retail theft and his girlfriend, Sarah Kathryn Thomas, 23, of Haines City, intentionally rammed a deputys vehicle. While searching for Morris, who has an extensive record of grand theft, drug charges, and probation violations in Florida and South Carolina and is on felony probation for grand theft through May 2015, detectives observed a red Ford Taurus at the intersection of Osceola Polk Line Road and Lake Wilson Road that had damage consistent with the damage to a similar red Taurus involved in the Nov. 4 Walmart incident, spokesperson Twis Lizasuain said. The vehicle was registered to Thomas but was being driven by Morris. According to the arrest report, deputies attempted make a traffic stop but Morris fled onto Osceola Polk Line Road. Two deputies used a tactical maneuver to block in Morris, who countered by ramming the deputies vehicles in order to flee again, this time onto eastbound Interstate 4. Morris continued on I-4 until he crossed the median and drove westbound on the eastbound State Road 417 ramp against oncoming traffic. He continued driving in oncoming lanes on I-4 and State Road 429 for nearly eight miles before exiting onto U.S. Highway 192, and fleeing on foot inside the Orange Lake Resort into a wooded area with deep standing water. Three deputies and detectives pursued Morris into the waist-deep water and battled to apprehend him, with one going underwater in the struggle that included Morris headbutting another. A K-9 unit was brought in to also help subdue the suspect, which was finally achieved after Morris struggled some more, grabbing a deputys arm and pushing it toward the dogs mouth. For his roles in the incidents over two days, Morris was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft, violation of probation, reckless driving, operating a vehicle without a valid drivers license and fleeing with disregard to safety. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail. Detectives brought Thomas in for questioning and she cooperated with the investigation. Based on her statement, she was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for her role in the original incident at the Walmart. She was booked into the Osceola County Jail. baskets. The market usually has home made soaps, local h oney and other products. For more information on the Kissimmee Valley Farmers Market visit www.kissimmeemainstreet.com or call 407-846-4643. Kissimmee Main Street is a nationally accredited Main Street program that focuses on historic preservation with economic development to restore prosperity and vitality to downtown and neighborhood business dissive Assessment Test or the overall school-wide score if the teacher doesnt teach an FCAT-assessed subject. In Osceola County, 262, or 8 percent, scored an highly effective on the evaluations and 2,991, or 97.6 percent, scored as effective. The state overall had 22 percent of its teachers score as highly effective and 75 percent score as effective. In Orange County, 1.3 percent of its teachers earned the top label and 97.6 percent scored as effective and in Polk County, 8.7 percent of its teachers scored as highly effective with 91.3 percent earning the effective label. Virginia Costa, director of Student Services and Instructional Improvement in Osceola County, said the district proceeded with caution in doing the evaluations as the kinks have not been worked out of the new system. That includes how the evaluations are not counted this year toward merit pay and the huge range of the effective score; teachers could score between 1.6 and 3.59 to earn that score. I imagine theyll start to close that gap to make it more realistic, Costa said. Each district probably interpreted the law a certain way and every district has a different (teachers) union it negotiates with in a different way. As the merit pay evaluation system progresses, she expects the process to become more reflective of the educational needs in the state. That includes improvement plans and additional professional development for those teachers who score below the effective ranking. In Osceola County, 12 teachers earned the needs improvement label an d another 20 educators who were hired by the district in the last three years scored the developing label. Those teachers, Costa said, will receive additional assistance whether theyre new to the district or have been employed for years. It depends on their individual situation, she said. Two Osceola County teachers, one at Discovery Intermediate School and another at Kissimmee Elementary School, earned the lowest score of unsatisfactory. They were two of 381, or .3 percent, of the 178,817 educators statewide who scored in the lowest category. That score does not equate to an automatic pink slip, Costa said. Rather, it identifies the teachers in desperate need of starting an improvement plan or, if currently on a plan, being re-evaluated and striving for improvement in the next school year. More than likely, its something that is brought to t he administrations a ttention, Costa said, adding teachers who score in the bottom have issues in both categories scored in the evaluation. When you look at the numbers, they likely had low student growth and low instructional practices. Teachers are notified of their final score and must sign off on their evaluation. The district did have 206 teachers who were not evaluated, which could have occurred for a number of reasons including educators on leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, those under investigation and teachers who were hired on temporary or short-term contracts. Costa said the vast majority of teachers not evaluated were those with shortterm contracts, meaning they had been hired after the first semester of the school year was completed. 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Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page A7 121512.SNG Thank You To All Our 2012 Supporting Members: Cut & Style The Gun Store St. Cloud Chamber St. Cloud Main Street Rayzors Edge The Finishing Touch Chime & Time Allens Osceola Realty Inc Sugar Magnolia Jewelers Studio Dance Central Banks A Lot Emporium The New York Artists Shop Little Things Gift Cottage Hodgins Home Appliance Teacup Antiques Cee Ja ys Antiques Chimentos Special Upcoming Events In St. Cloud12/21/12 Hipstoric & Chamber Stroll 5-8pm. Hipstoric every 3rd Friday 5-8pm 1/26/13 Redneck Gala 5pm -10pm 2/23/13 Miss St. Cloud Pageant 2013 5/4-5/5 Smokin Blues, Bikes & BBQ, St. Cloud Lakefront Breakfast with the Pros is 2nd Tuesday of every month through April First Responder Fall Frenzy is September 21 If you have a business in Downtown St. Cloud & would like to join the DBG, contact Bob Beauchamp at 407-892-9633 or Dave Askew at 407-979-4727 NOW AC CEPTING NEW MEMBERS & RE-ENROLLING MEMBERS FOR THE 2013 YEAR Happy Holidays From...

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Page A8, SPORTSSPORTS Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/OsceolaSportsLady Eagles control 7A-5Now that the Osceola County high school football season finally ended (thanks to the OHS Kowboys extended playoff run) well take a couple of moments to reflect on what happened. The Kowboys, 13-1, pushed the season just about as far as they could, ending just one game short of the Class 7A championship game played last night between Tallahassee Lincoln and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. More by happenstance than design, I got a very up close look at the Kowboys in 2012 and ended up seeing 12 of their 14 regular season and playoff games. I wont dwell much on Osceolas talent and performance on the field because, obviously, when a team wins 13 games in a row it has a lot of good players who are coached well. What is more important about Osceolas success is how it happens, and is it sustainable? Yes, it is. Coach Doug Nichols, completing his third season, took over an already successful program in 2010 and not only continued the Kowboys winning tradition, he has just about assured that it will continue for some time. Nichols, an assistant at OHS for 16 years before a three-year stint at Liberty where he formed that program, knows exactly how to run a big-time high school football program. First, and most important, he makes sure his players are disciplined and respectful. Those that wander, who violate the rules, arent permitted to continue. OHS won three playoff games without the services of several starters who violated the rules and were dropped from the team. He tapped into OHSs strong booster club to gain the support necessary to foster a successful program. Dozens of volunteers make OHS football happen, and they worked plenty of overtime this year because OHS played four home playoff games, which is beyond rare. And, by the way, no high school team in the state has a better half-time hospitality room than OHS. Jamie Augie Todd and his wife, Sharon, put together the best munchies around. Chicken wing soup? Cheeseburger soup? Are you kidding me? You almost have to push the officials out the door for the second half. But, back to football, the Kowboys head coach also is smart and confident enough to bring in the most capable assistant coaches he can find. Throw in good administrative support, a workaholic athletic director in Jim Bird, and strong parental and student involvement, and you have the ingredients for one of the best high school football programs in Florida. Schools dont make the Florida football playoffs 12 times in 14 years and reach the state semifinals four times over that span by accident. Much of what happens with any high school football team is behind the scenes, but from being on the OHS sidelines many Friday nights this season, I can say that this group of Kowboys carried themselves like champions and displayed good sportsmanship even when they had the opportunity to embarrass overmatched foes. They were excellent representatives of OHS, of Kissimmee and of Osceola County. And, they were darned good. The downside of football games is that for every winner there is a loser, and, unfortunately, Liberty High lost more than it won this season. Coach David Benson lost his job this week when Principal Robert Studly decided to make a change. Studly knows much more about the situation with his football team than anyone from the outside, so you have to trust that he believes he is making his program better by replacing his coach. Benson had the misfortune of seeing two all-state sophomore quarterbacks transfer to South Florida in 2010 and 2011. Whether Benson was as effective as he could have been I dont know, but what I know about Benson, based on his 13 years in Osceola County at Gateway It was a very good year at OHS Rick PedoneSports Editor See Picks, page A-9 Girls basketball Picks of the Weak By Rick Pedone Sports Editor Harmony threw a monkey wrench into the Orange Belt Conference girls basketball race Tuesday by upending Poinciana, 44-38, at the Mike Brizendine gym. The Eagles, who finished their conference schedule at 5-1, could have clinched the championship by beating Harmony, 2-0 in the conference and 5-2 overall. The OBC champ now probably wont be decided until Harmony travels to Osceola Jan. 22. Julia Ingler and Ragen Dotson led the Lady Longhorns with 14 points apiece. Rebekah Fitzpatrick added 9 for the Longhorns. Our girls were as tough mentally as you can find in a close game, Horns Coach Paul Strauch said. I think Poinciana playing (Osceola) the night before helped us even though they shot very well. We have a lot to do to get better so we can hopefully keep improving. Strauch said Dotson and Ingler were solid defensively. Julia held a D-I signee (Brandii Walker) to nine points, and Bekah did a great job in controlling the game. She had zero turnovers. Harmony hit 17 of 18 free throws. Poinciana Coach Shane Whitsett said the Lady Horns were tough down the stretch. Tough one to lose. We had a three-point lead but just couldnt finish the deal, he said. Harmony is good, very fundamental and well-coached. Poinciana had better luck Monday when it ran its 7A-5 district record to 6-0 with an overtime 52-48 win at Osceola. The win virtually assures the Lady Eagles, 9-3 overall, of the top seed at the district tournament. It was Poincianas second win over Osceola this season, and like the first game, a two-point decision, it was a struggle all the way. You can never count Osceola out, those girls fight to the end, Whitsett said. Im proud of our team for sticking together and finding a way to win another tight ballgame. Osceola slipped to 9-3 and 4-2 in the district. Poinciana was led by guard Geri Navarro, who scored 18, and Breyuna Walker, who added 13. Brandii Walker (9) hit five free throws in overtime. Osceola rallied from a 43-37 deficit to tie the score at 43 at the end of the fourth quarter. Montana Bass hit a free throw and a 3-point shot to tie the score as neither team scored in the last minute of regulation. Poinciana bolted to a 20-9 lead in the second quarter on a 17-point run and led 28-21 at the half. But, the Lady Kowboys fought back and tied it at 32 later in the quarter on a Bass jumper. Although the Lady Eagles had 26 rebounds, Whitsett said the team has room to improve. We need to do a better job of rebounding the ball. We give away too many second-chance points, Whitsett said. Even though Poinciana is looking good at 6-0 in the district, Whitsett said the team must improve. Our goal is to get better every time we step on the floor, he said. I think the district (tournament) is pretty wide open. East Ridge, Osceola and Gateway are quality opponents and can beat us if we dont come prepared. Osceola Coach Barner Cooks said he expects another meeting with PHS next month at the district tournament, which the Kowgirls will host. Im OK with this loss as much as anyone could (be), he said. My kids played hard, they pushed Poinciana to the limits. Remember, they have three D-1 players on that team. We will regroup and I know we will see them in the district tournament. St. Cloud is 6-6, 2-1 in the OBC and 1-0 in District 7A-6 after a 45-32 win against Celebration, 4-7. Gabby Ortiz had 17 and Tuesday Webb added 11 for St. Cloud. We are at .500 with a great group of girls and getting better every day, Coach Chad Ansbaugh said.Poincianas Majjdah Barnett lifts a shot over Osceolas Christina Jean-Baptiste (12) as Jasmine Ramos (2) pursues.News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan Poinciana perfect in district, but Horns shake up OBC race By Rick Pedone Sports Editor After an early-season dry spell where goals were hard to come by, Harmonys soccer team has found its touch and reeled off four straight victories to put itself in contention for both the Orange Belt Conference championship as well as a top-seed at the 4A-6 district tournament. The Horns, 4-2-2, blanked East Ridge, 4-0, Tuesday to run their district record to 3-1-1. That followed impressive wins against Gateway, 4-1, Liberty, 3-0 and Osceola, 2-1. All but Gateway counted in the district. The Longhorns are 3-0-1 in the conference after tying Celebration at 1 in the season opener. We have been playing better as of late, Coach Scott Marlega, in his second season, said. We actually have been playing good soccer all season, we just went through a five-game winless stretch where we couldnt score a goal. Horns soccer takes 4 straight By Rick Pedone Sports Editor Osceola High softball players Kenya Pereira and Jessica Callahan announced their college plans recently at a scholarship signing ceremony at the Osceola High gym. Pereira, the Osceola News-Gazette Play er of the Year, signed with Florida A&M, where she will pitch for Coach Veronica Wiggins pro gram. Callahan, an outfielder/ third baseman, selected Florida Tech and Coach Val Silvestrina. Pereira had a breakout season for the Lady Kowboys in 2011-12, Coach George Coffey said. Shes always been talented, but last season it was something else, at a whole higher level, he said. You could see the difference in her, with her ability to control the game. Pereira, whose two older sisters also earned softball grants, said she would concentrate on having a successful senior season for Osceola before concentrating on her college career, where she plans to major in physical therapy. Callahan considered playing for the University of North Florida bt happily accepted the invitation to join the Panthers. Im not s ure w her e theyll put me. I can play outfield or third base, whatever they want, she said. Both players play travel ball with the Osceola Overdrive, which isnt surprising since their fathers, Keith Pereira and Steve Callahan, run the program. Thats where we get scouted the most, in travel ball, Pereira said. Coffey, who has seen dozens of his players advance to the college ranks over his 18-year head coaching career, said the coaches wont be disappointed in the talent they are acquiring. Im very confident that those coaches are going to be very satisfied because these two are great as far as their attitudes on the field as well as off, Coffey said. Those are going to be two huge holes for us to fill when the leave, but fortunately we have them back one more year for their senior seasons. Both Lady Kowboys said they have unfinished business that needs attention next season: to get past perennial Polk County powerhouse Bartow. The Yellow Jackets, state finalists last season, have been a roadblock to OHSs regional playoff path. Definitely, we can beat them, Callahan said. Jessica Callahan, seated second from left, and Kenya Pereira, second from right, were joined by their famly members when they signed softball scholarships at the Kowboys gym recently.News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan Two Lady Kowboys sign softball grants with FAMU, Florida TechSee Soccer, page A-10

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Kissimmee, FL 34746 321-402-6684 OR 407-933-1794 November-April 8:15am & 11:00am Traditional 9:40am Contemporary May-October 9:40am Contemporary 11:00am Traditional Hispana-Brasilera Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida 10:30am FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHKissimmee 101 West Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.The people of The United Methodist Church FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHKissimmee December 24th5:00 pm Family Service with Candlelight 8:00 pm Contemporary Service with Candlelight 10:00 pm Traditional Service with Holy Communion and Candlelight www.kissimmeefumc.org 101 West Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, PicksContinued from page A-8Wednesday, I saw t hat machines called harvesters were busy getting rid of the alligator grass along the lakefront. There were four of them going all day. I think they are scheduled to cut out about 57 acres of that type of grass. You can see the results of the hydrilla spraying, especially along the lakefront. The areas I checked were nearly void of hydrilla, but there was quite a bit of it floating on the surface. Unfortunately, there was not enough funding to do much more than five thousand acres, which is about one fourth of the total lake surface. Hopefully, enough of it will go away so we can have some new areas to fish which have been inaccessible due to the heavy cover of hydrilla. A couple of weeks ago, you could run by Marker 26 and see anywhere from 10 to 15 boats fishing for specs. Now that the water temperatures have climbed above 70, youre lucky to see even one. As the water warmed up the specs stopped biting. When the water cools off, you may find that the specs have moved into the reeds and grass to spawn. The last bunch that I cleaned had row in them Bass fishing has also taken a hit. We had been catching 10 to 15 bass on a half-day guide trip; now you have to really work to catch six to 10 bass. Ive been having the best luck trolling shiners behind the boat real slow. That way you can cover more water and hope to run by an aggressive bass. Send information to capjac@usfamily.net You may also send fishing informa tion and photos to rpedone@ osceolanewsgazette.com Jacque MitchellFishin Fun Spec fishing slows as water temps rise News-Gazette Photo/Andrew SullivanPoinciana Coach Corey Fleming talks to his team during a 2011 game. Fleming resigns at PHS football after 2 seasonsand Liberty, is that he did his best to make his players successful. It doesnt take long to determine whether a coach is in this for himself, or in it for his players. Benson is all about his players. Students at his next stop will benefit from his presence. Poinciana also is in the market for a new coach after Corey Fleming stepped down this week after two seasons and a 3-17 mark. The next coach will be Poincianas eighth in 11 years. Is there a good reason why this school should field a football program? I can give you several why it shouldnt. Congratulations again to Coach Marlin Roberts, his staff at Gateway for a schoolrecord seven wins and for giving Panthers students a good reason to be excited at the games this fall. Kudos to Coach Jarred Butler and his staff at Harmony High for taking a team given up for dead at midseason, 0-5, to the playoffs and finishing the season at a respectable 4-7. And, to Coach Brad Lennox and his St. Cloud Bulldogs, congratulations on persevering through a season where off-field problems caused by a few individuals threatened to derail the team. But, credit the Bulldogs for fighting through the adversity to win three of their last four games, including a stunning victory over North Marion, an eventual Class 5A play off team, in the season finale. No space for the Mighty News-Gazette Divine Nine this week. Lets make Osceola County high school football No. 1 and leave it at that. The paid professionals: Jacksonville at Miami (-7): People ask if Alabama could beat the Jags. My question is, why would the Tide waste its time trying? Fins by 4. Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3.5): Last-play loss to Philly was a season-killer for the Bucs. And we know how they love those funerals in Na Awlins. Saints by 6. Washington at Cleveland (-1): RGIII or no RGIII, Browns are tough at home. Brownies by 3. Minnesota at St. Louis (-3): Paging Christian Ponder or is Adrian Peterson going to have to do the whole offense himself? Rams by 2. Denver (-2.5) at Baltimore: All signs point to a Peyton Manning passing party, but does anyone see the Ravens losing three in a row? Quoth the Ravens, win by 4. Pittsburgh (-1.5) at Dallas: Steelers are falling apart. Dallas is a tragic mess. And both could make the playoffs. Iron City by 1. N.Y. Giants at Atlanta (-1.5): Falcons are the most disrespected 11-2 team in NFL history. And it gets worse. G-men by 3. San Francisco at New England (-3): Two seaside teams, and the Niners are about to get dunked. Pats by 6 Brian Big Man McBrides Super Sniffer Upset Special: Cowboys by 3. Tom Captain Kirks Beam me Up Scotty Prime Time NFL Pick of the Week: Pats over Niners by 12. Young Jackson says: Vikings by 7, Cowboys by 1. Last week: Subdued Senior (7-2, 97-38) nipped Emotional Eagle (6-3, 96-39). By Rick Pedone Sports Editor Poinciana High will search for its eighth football coach since 2000 after Corey Fleming stepped down this week after two seasons and a 3-17 record. I decided that I would look for a job that would be a good opportunity for myself, Fleming said Thursday. Ill apply to one of those Orange County jobs that are open, there are some good schools up there, and a couple of college position jobs. Fleming stepped in to take over the Eagles program in August of 2011 after former coach Michael Timpson was not retained after one season. Fleming was an assistant on Timpsons staff. The Eagles struggled on the field under Fleming, but the teams budget went from deep red to black. We were $10,000 under when I got here. Ive raised $45,000, mostly through fundraisers and in partnerships with the other programs here, Fleming said. The next coach will come in and find the program in a lot better position than I had. Theres $9,000 in the account, now. Fleming also n oted that seven Eagles earned college grants last season. We did a good job of getting kids in schools, probably only behind Osceola, he said. Fleming said he hopes his players adhere to his advice to prepare year round. Our guys did a good job of working all year on the off the field stuff, like the fundraisers and such, but they werent so good about doing the workouts all year and that was a problem for us, he said. I think they could see from the fundraisers that hard work does pay off. Weve got a few guys out on the track working out right now, even without a coach to lead them, so hopefully they got that message. Eagles athletic director John Bangley said the search is under way for Flemings replacement.

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Page A10, A-10 SoccerContinued from page A-8 Elementary x-countryPartin Settlement Elementary (108) for the ninth year in a row won the Osceola County Elementary Schools cross country championship at St. Cloud High. St. Cloud Elementary (87) was second and Narcoossee Elementary (85) finished third. Zachary Cloud of Partin Settlement had the best boys time (5:48). Elise Schmidt (6:50) was the fastest female.GFSO comingThe 32nd Great Florida Shootout boys basketball tournament returns Dec. 27-29 to the Kissimmee Civic Center. The tournament expands to 16 teams this year. The teams will be split into two eight-team championship brackets. Osceola, Gateway and Celebration will be joined by St. Petersburg High, South Atlanta High, East Hall High from Georgia, Eustis High, St. Michaels High from Toronto, Chamberlain High, South Miami High, McEachern High from Georgia, Colonial High, Palm Bay High and Metairie Park Country Day High from Louisiana. Games begin Dec. 27 at 9 a.m. The championship Dec. 29 starts at 8:30 p.m.Osceola Youth S oftball registratioinOsceola Youth Softball will hold registration for the fall season Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Oren Brown Park, 3511 Baker Ave., Kissimmee. Registration fee is $70 for ages 10U, 14U and 18U or $40 for ages 8U. A birth certificate copy is required at registration. Come N Try Day is Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. No experience required. Assessment day is Jan. 26 beginning at 10 a.m. For more information, call 407-288-8035. Sports briefsSince then we have been putting the ball in the back of the net and getting results. Marlega said his defense, led by Andrew Harrison, has stepped up, allowing just two goals over the past four games. Midfielder Jonathan Salgado and teammates Brandon Salgado, Jeisson Gomez and Nam Vo have been scoring most of the teams goals, the coach said. 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In the words of Apollo 13 commander, Jim Lovell, as all hell was about to break loose aboard that ill-fated spacecraft its worse than I thought. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is not a runway train wreck by any means, but after sitting through one hour of this nearly three-hour epic film, knowing there are still two more films on the way, this is definitely a case of too many hobbits, goblins, dwarves and orcs. This first film of a new trilogy by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, The Hobbit part one just feels stretched to the limit. There are some very good scenes, and then there are scenes that feel like, well, here is a lot more of the same. Lord of the Rings fanboys and girls will probably still eat it all up quicker than a hungry goblin anyway, but The Hobbit as a film, just feels like an inferior sequel. As all J.R.R. Tolkien fans know, The Hobbit was written before The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but serves a companion piece to the fantasy classic. It is the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, a bookish Hobbit who never had any adventures until Gandalf the Wiz50 CENTS The 1st film of a new trilogy falls short of expectationsFollow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/icmovies Peter CovinoFilm Critic Section B Check out aroundosceola.com Hobbits are small, but movie is longLIFESTYLESLIFESTYLES CIRQUE FILMTickets for Paramount Pictures 3D film Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away are on sale now for select showtimes. The advance tickets can be purchased online or at participating box offices for special showings at noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 21-24. Beginning Dec. 25, the film will extend its theatrical engagement with regular showtimes. The film, which Variety has called A bona fide high-wire actdelivering towering thrills, and The Hollywood Reporter has called a D spectacular, opened in Japan on November 9th and earned $1.5 million in its opening weekend, making it the #1 U.S. release for the weekend, following the films opening of the Tokyo International Film Festival. It makes its North American theatrical debut in Montreal, the home town of Cirque Du Soleils world famous productions, on Dec. 7.A CHRISTMAS CAROLKISSIMMEE This is the final weekend for the Osceola Center for the Arts production of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley. Performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $21 for adults; $18 for senior and $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased over the phone or online at www.ocfta.com. The center is located at 2411 E. U.S. Highway 192.CHRISTMAS SPOOFORLANDO Or lando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF continues its 2012-2013 season with the holiday spoof for the entire family, The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomens Guild Dramatic Societys Production of A Christmas Carol. Acclaimed director Matt Pfeiffer directs this comedy about a fictional amateur drama group that stumbles in its attempts to bring to life on stage Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Future, and Present. Actors run late, botch their lines, and argue while trying to perform but the show goes on in all of its festive, comedic glory. Farndale Avenue. performs through Dec. 30. at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Tickets, priced at $16-$40, are on sale now (407) 447-1700 or http://www.orlandoshakes.org.THIN K SNO WWINTER PARK The city of Winter Park will host Winter in the Park, the citys annual holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow through Jan. 6. The West Meadow is located at 150 N. New York Ave., on the corner of Morse Boulevard and New York Avenue, in downtown Winter Park. Skaters of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin and turn at Winter in the Park: Monday thru Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m. You can skate all day for $10 per skater (skate rental included). For more information, call 407-599-3203 or visit the website at cityofwinterpark.org/witp. FOOD TRUCKSWINTER PARK The Winter Park Food Truck Fiesta has arrived. On the fourth Saturday of each month, Food Truck Crazy will be held at Fleet Peeples Park, 2000. South Lakemont Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature ten gourmet food trucks See Movie, page B-4Greetings From Croatia a Balkan beauty Warner Bros.The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey Directed by: Peter Jackson Running time: 170 minutes See Sun Spots, page B-4 Travelogue Hollywood magic comes to science center B-The Orlando Science Center brings Hollywood magic and cutting-edge technology visitors beginning this week with the unveiling of the new Digital Adventure Theater this weekend. Guests will see educational documentaries and Hollywood features all in stunning, immersive 3D and ultra high definition 4K resolution. Originally built for live programming and presentations, the 226-seat theater has been revamped to exhibit digital content and is one of only a handful of theaters in the Orlando area that features a 4K resolution projection system capable of producing an image nearly four times the quality of standard high definition. The Digital Adventure Theater will show films in 2D and 3D. It utilizes the XpanD X101 series of 3D active glasses which produces higher picture quality, increased depth and less blur than passive 3D systems used by most movie theaters. The XpanD X101 series makes use of a specialized, fast-switching liquid crystal cell that provides rapid, stereoscopic shutter action to deliver alternate rightand left-eye images, thus producing the 3D effect. They are the most effective, comfortable and popular active shutter glasses in the world with more than 5,000 cinemas using them worldwide. The theater also boasts 7.1 surround sound as well as new seating and flooring. Live science programming will continue and include crowd favorites such as Kaboom! And High Voltage. Polar Express, Star W ars film in 3D are at science center December 15, 2012Martin Freeman is the younger version of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey the first of three films based on J.R.R. Tolkiens book of the same name. Michael Bush, longtime costume designer and personal friend of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson will be at Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Bush will appear with an exclusive display of Jackson costumes at Planet Hollywood. The one-day exclusive event will give Michael Jackson fans an opportunity to purchase Bushs book as well as get a chance to meet the fashion designer. An exhibit of exclusive Michael Jackson costumes from the Bush & Tompkins collection featured in the book will also be on display. Fans will have the unique opportunity to also have Bush personally autograph their book. The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson, is the first art-driven book about the costumes, apparel, shoes and accessories created and worn by Michael Jackson.News-Gazette photos/Peter CovinoDubrovnik, top, an old port city, offers panoramic vistas from its ancient walls. Croatias coastal cities feature market places, shown below, along side structures built by Medieval inhabitants and the Roman Empire. By Peter Covino Lifestyles Editor Well Ive never been to Spain, but now I can say I have been to Croatia. For most Americans, this charming Adriatic country, a former part of Yugoslavia, is probably a complete unknown. Bustling with European tourists in the summer, Croatia is a favorite with Germans, but as late fall and winter take hold, this land with a cultural heritage and history that predates the Roman Empire, is left almost completely to the natives. In almost two weeks of exploring Croatias coastal cities of Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, as well as the countrys capital of Zagreb, with nearly one million people, I encountered only one small group of traveling Americans. Even the Germans and Brits, who make this enchanting country their summer playground, are all back in their homelands. I have been to Europe numerous times, including another nearby Balkan country, Macedonia, but this, by far, was the most daunting holiday I have ever embarked on. Accompanied by a good Macedonian friend (I highly recommend having a Macedonian friend on a Croatian holiday because Macedonians can readily understand Croatian) we began our odyssey in Zagreb. Leaving Orlando via New Yorks Kennedy Airport to Charles DeGaulle Airport in Paris on Thanksgiving Day (there are no direct flights as you might expect to Croatia), the airport in Zagreb is surprisingly small for such a large city. The airport is definitely outdated by American standards there are no real gates, travelers walk down a flight of stairs from the plane, onto the tarmac, away from the terminal, Casablanca style. There were even a few propeller-driven aircraft nearby giving the airport a real World War II Hollywood-era feel. I almost expected to see Rick and Ilsa parting their romantic ways as the morning fog began to lift over the city. I booked all of our lodging online before I left, choosing privately-owned apartments over hotels. Apartments are usually cheaper than costly hotels, and they also allow visitors a more authentic hands-on holiday than a hotel. Our apartments averaged out to about $50 a night throughout the stay. Almost every apartment included a small kitchen, dining area, flat screen TV and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi should not be considered an add-on option visiting Croatia or any European country for that matter. You will be glad to have a wireless network in your room after a day of sightseeing so you can communicate with friends and relatives, sending both photos and email. Note: Most American phones do not work in Croatia. You wont be able to make phone calls. But you can send emails, use instant messaging services and send photos with a smart phone if you have Wi-Fi. The first leg of the journey, was, of course, Zagreb. Since we had to European country is a feast for the eyes and easy on the wallet as well See 3D, page B-4 See Croatia, page B-3

Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page B3 fly out of the city as well, we only allowed two days in the city, and with jetlag and getting settled in, most of the Zagreb exploring would come at the end of the trip. The trip from the airport to the citys historic center, about 20 kilometers, is an interesting contrast of old and new. The outer ring of the city shows just how prosperous Croatia has become in recent years, as more and more Europeans spend their summer holidays and money in the country. There is lots of gleaming steel and glass of office buildings, auto dealers and shopping centers. It is an interesting contrast to the citys core, with its old Baroque churches, stone streets, all originally part of the citys original medieval settlements. The very old and very new is in stark contrast to the blocks of drab, multi-story housing leftover from the communist era. We would appreciate the beauty of the city much more some two weeks later, when it was bathed in lights for the annual Christmas holiday celebration. Playing along as if it was scripted, the Zagreb Chamber of Commerce, or the equivalent, would even provide some real snow. Croatia, a predominantly Catholic country, celebrates Christmas Dec. 25 unlike the majority of the region which is Eastern Orthodox, which celebrates the season a few weeks later in January. Zagreb is only a sideshow to what Croatia has to offer in the way of history. When this trip was still in its planning stages, one of the major points to consider was how to get around this mountainous country once we arrived. Air travel from city to city was an expensive option, especially when the country offers several private bus lines that offer both affordability and a more scenic way to explore the region. We also considered renting a car, but with both the price of gasoline and mountain roads, the bus seemed a safer option. It proved to be a good choice. The trip to Zadar, once we got closer to the Adriatic coast, offered some really nice vistas of the sea. The bus, as did all of our bus choices, had large picture windows for viewing and comfortable seats. The roadways themselves were also mostly multi-lane and modern. The approximate four-hour trip (including a rest stop at a bizarre restaurant/lodging area that was a crazy hybrid of the American west with stuffed boar and other animals) passed fairly quickly, leaving us at the city bus station, a few miles from the historic city center and our second apartment. This also proved to be probably the most frustrating part of the trip. With no working phone and no way to contact our apartment owner that we had arrived, it took a while before we were settled in. Again, it was of great benefit that one of us spoke and understood Croatian. Zadar offers some surprises and it is definitely the best starting point, once you leave the big city of Zagreb behind. The citys main historical point is its Roman forum, as well as its many churches. The city also boasts some of the nicest sunsets in the region, a fact made famous by none other than Alfred Hitchcock who proclaimed it had the most beautiful sunset in the world when he visited in the early 1960s. The city gets a lot of mileage from the Hitchcock quote, with signage of the Master of the Suspense where he viewed that magnificent sunset. Our sunset was not on par with the most memorable I have ever seen, but the diffusion of rays above the hills and mountains facing west was impressive. Zadar also offers one of the interesting artistic achievements you will ever hear. Yes, hear. Bumping up against the Adriatic, is the Sea Organ, a musical instrument made possible by the waves of the sea. Our apartment in Zadar is also worth noting. Because of a plumbing issue with the apartment we booked, we got an upgrade to a much nicer apartment, which though four stories up, it actually would have be a really nice place to stay for more than a few days, with its mural ceiling and other accoutrements. Back on another bus, it was time for more scenic views of the Adriatic and glimpses of other coastal towns and villages as we ventured on to Split, the second largest city in Croatia. Zadar and Zagreb hardly prepare you for the historical treasures of this city, which juts out into the sea on a peninsula. Croatia Continued from page B-1 News-Gazette photos/Peter CovinoA Rensaissance plaza gleams at twilight (top) in Split, while the seasonal holiday celebration brings out shoppers in Zagrebs center(above). The redtopped roofed buildings are evident everywhere in Dubrovnik from the citys historic walls (right). See Croatia, page B-4 121512.SNG

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Page B4, ard, chose him for a special quest to help a band of d warves get their homeland back. Bilbo is played briefly by Ian Holm (reprising his role from the original film) and by Martin Freeman as Bilbo, 60 years earlier when the adventure takes place. After a chapter that sets up how the dwarves lost their homeland to begin with, there is a too longish sequence of getting all those dwarves into Bilbos tidy home. They are a drunken lot, singing songs devouring every bit of food and drink in site, and no doubt they would have ravaged Bilbo as well if his cheeks were rosier. And then the adventure begins as the dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf too (again played by Ian McKellen) leave the shire on the long, long journey (in this case, even longer than Tolkien imagined) to Erebor, the dwarves lost kingdom. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is filmed in 3D, but for my money, its an option you can probably skip if you go and save a few bucks for a popcorn purchase. There are some large-scale battle scenes, some of them looking quite good, but not particularly remarkable or ground-breaking in 3D. In fact, the best scene by far in The Hobbit is the much more subtle, or quieter at least, first encounter between Bilbo and Gollum (again, masterfully portrayed/voiced by Andy Serkis). Bilbo has become separated from the rest of the group when he stumbles upon Gollum, who already has the ring (My precious) and is very much a tortured soul. It somehow leads to a great contest of riddles. If Bilbo stumps Gollum, he will lead him out of his lost predicament. If Gollum wins, he gets to have Bilbo for lunch. The entire sequence shines unlike anything else that precedes it or follows. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey also features roles of varying lengths, mostly short, with characters/stars from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy including Elijah Wood as Frodo, Christopher Lee as Saruman and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. While this first Hobbit film is a disappointment, I am still holding out hope for the next two films, and expect the third film to be a triumph, at least by comparison. Sun SpotsContinued from page B-1 To commemorate the theaters opening, guests can see Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace 3D in conjunction with the blockbuster exhibit currently on display, Star Wars Where Science Meets Imagination. Movie goers can also see Space Junk 3D, the first movie to explore the issue of cast-off space debris threatening our planets orbit, and Tornado Alley 3D, an explosive giant screen adventure that takes viewers on an epic chase through the severe weather capital of the world. And just in time for the holidays, guests can experience The Polar Express 3D, the computer-animated fantasy film based on the childrens book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. The film features the motion capture performance of Academy Award Winner Tom Hanks. It will screen daily between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6. A mainstay of any movie-going experience, guests can purchase popcorn, candy and soft drinks from the Digital Adventure Theater concession stand. Guests can see unlimited educational films and one Hollywood release with general admission to the Science Center. Tickets which also include access to Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination as well as all exhibits, live science demonstrations and giant screen films in the Dr. Phillips CineDome are $27 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Movies in the Digital Adventure Theater and access to Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination are also included with evening admission which is $23 for adults and $16 for youth (ages 3-11). Educational films will screen daily; Hollywood films will screen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings beginning at 5:10 p.m. The Polar Express 3D is a special holiday engagement and is showing daily. For more information and show times, visit www. osc.org or call 407-5142000. each month, featuring a variety of gourmet food as well as desserts. The event also features music, face painting and more. For more information regarding the Winter Park Food Truck Fiesta, visit www. foodtruckcrazy.com or call 407-296-5882.MONSTER BULLSKISSIMMEELock up the china closet here come the bulls. The Silver Spurs Riding Club has announced Rodeo and Monster Bulls dates for 2013, at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park. Bucking into action first, will be the 2nd Monster Bulls, Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The following weekend, Feb.15-17, will be the 130th Silver Spurs Rodeo, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. On May 31 and June 1, the 131st Silver Spurs Rodeo will take place, both performances at 7:30 p.m. The Monster Bulls will be a jammed packed event full of high energy, filled with many wild rides, as bull riders from across the nation compete for big prize money, said Steve Knowles, Big Boss for the Silver Spurs.3DContinued from page B-1MovieContinued from page B-1CroatiaContinued from page B-3 The city is nothing short of amazing One of the oldest cities in the Balkans, Split is at least 1,700 years old, with its crowning jewel, the ancient Roman palace of Emperor Diocletian serving as the focal point. The city was actually founded several centuries earlier by the Greeks. The city center is a mix of Roman and medieval wonders, with the palace itself being named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the walls of the center there are also many museums, shops and restaurants. Nearby islands also beckon, weather permitting, with ferry boats and other types of water craft. Italy also is several hours away, by boat, from many cities along Croatias coast. Split, like most of the coastal cities, and Zagreb too, has open air markets where seasonal fruit, vegetables, cheese, wine and more are available. There also is a very active fish market. The beer and wine from this area are both inexpensive and unbelievably good. The close proximity to Italy also means the Italians have had a major influence on the cuisine of the area. A very good pizza is always a great alternative to more expensive restaurant fare, though the restaurants of the region are so much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. The final leg of the coastal city tour is the port city of Dubrovnik, and as dramatically captivating as Split was, Dubrovnik, was still the most captivating part of the journey. It is another 3 hour bus trip to the city from Spit, but the scenery was also the best of the entire trip with one surprise bonus of sorts. Because of an irregular border, the bus drives through a tiny sliver of Bosnia, yet another former Yugoslavian state. There is passport control and a stop long enough to take a few photos at a lonely hotel that sells souvenirs and snack food. Finally, after miles of olive groves, vineyards and even a stop at a citrus stand for some great local tangerines, we arrive in Dubrovnik. This is the most visited city in the country, as well it should be. The Pearl of the Adriatic as it has been dubbed, the city center has marble streets, baroque buildings and more, but the highlight of any visit is a walk around the Dubrovnik Walls, a fortification system that was pretty much in place by the 12th century, with the bulk of the existing walls completed induring the 14th and 15th century. You can get some of the best views of the city from the walls as you circumvent the Old Town through a series of stairways. Dubrovnik icon feature, despite the walls, is the clock tower at the end of the towns main street, Placa. Other highlights, and there are many in the city, include Sponza Palace, a remnant from the Renaissance, as is the Rectors Palace and St. Blaises Church. If you are in Drubovnik for even just a day, it is probably worth getting a Dubrovnik Card, which gets you into many of the major museums (including the walls) and also provides bus transportation, something you will need after all the walking on the streets and hills. Dubrovnik, which is almost as far south as you can get in Croatia, is probably too long a haul by bus to get back to Zagreb, an eight-hour trip or more, so we got some very reasonably priced plane tickets online a few weeks earlier. The time saved also gave us more time to explore the capitol city, which we had rushed through when we first arrived. In summer, it looks like the interior of Croatia probably offers a lot more in the way of wonder and things to explore. And the coastal beaches are some of the finest in all of the Mediterranean region. It is easier to get to Paris, Rome or London from Central Florida, but Croatia offers as much as the major cities of Europe in a compact area, and at much more affordable price. 121512.SNG

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Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page B5 Whats new?Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrationA Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration will be Feb. 12 starting at 7 p.m. The celebration will be at the St. Cloud Senior Center, 3101 17th St. A buffet will follow the anniversary program, guests are asked to bring a dish to share. The night will finish with the music of the Osceola Community Orchestra. For more information, contact John Dutt at 407-744-1700. Wills and trusts lectureSavannah Court Assisted Living Community will host a complimentary informational lecture presented by Wealth Preservation Associates and Capital Estate Services. The seminar will be Jan. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. at Savannah Court, 3791 Old Canoe Creek Road, St. Cloud. The topic for the presentation will be wills and trusts. The lecture information is provided as an educational service. No legal matters will be discussed. Have you recently relocated to Florida? Updated your Will? Have a Durable Power of Attorney? This seminar is for you. Free facility tours will be offered prior to the start of the seminar. The program is complimentary and reservations are required. RSVP to Savannah Court at 407892-8502 or Joe McQuaid at 407593-2243.Driver safety classAn AARP driver safety class will be Friday, Jan., 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1500 Village Oak Lane, Kissimmee, at the Senior Friends building. Limit first 25 people. For reservations, call Ron at 407944-9718.Osceola Community OrchestraThe Osceola Community Orchestra welcomes orchestra musicians high school age and older to our Monday evening rehearsals at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, contact Bill Lauer at 407-892-5011.St. Cloud Womans Club The next St. Cloud Womans Club meeting will be Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. with an Osceola Center for the Arts performance for members and anyone interested in membership. Monthly meetings normally occur on the third Wednesday, September through May, at 1:30 p.m. The clubhouse is at 1012 Massachusetts Ave. next to the Heritage Museum where members can volunteer. For more information regardin g the club, contact Jean Witherington at 407-957-4347. For information about the museum, contact Lucille McClure at 407-9577587.An Elvis celebrationAn Elvis tribute show will be held Jan. 9 from 7 to 10 p.m. at American Legion 10 at 200 Lakeshore Blvd. Kissimmee. Tickets will be $10. The house will be rocking! Come out and celebrate Elviss Birthday. For tickets contact Shirley Schwebs at 407-922-4502.State Board prep classesC.N.A. State Board preparation classes will be offered by Mt. Zion S.D.A. Church Life Enhancing Ministries beginning Jan. 7. The classes will be Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost will be $125 for materials and lab. For more information, call E. Graham at 407-348-2990 or 407-9628446.Keep Our Kids Safe Christmas SpectacularThe first Keep Our Kids Safe Christmas Spectacular will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 at Liberty High School, 4250 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee. Tickets are $7 each. Parking is Available. R.S.V.P. by Dec. 16 by contacting Carmelo Garcia at keepourkidssafefoundation@yahoo.com. Or call 407-285-6157.Volunteers neededThe Osceola County Historical Society is looking for volunteers to greet and give tours to guests at the Pioneer Village. Join the society in educating the community and visitors to what life was like in Osceola County during the late 1800s. Anyone who can spare one to three hours per week can be a volunteer in any number roles with our organization, from greeters and tour guides, to office help or grounds keepers. Training provided for all roles. To explore the possibilities, call volunteer coordinator Juana Kelly at 407-396-8644 or email questions to juana@osceolahistory.org. Visit the website at Osceolahistory.org.Church choirs to performIn celebration of the Holy Redeemer Parishs 100th anniversary in Kissimmee, the adult, children, and contemporary choirs are inviting the community to come hear, sing and learn about some of your favorite carols for the advent and Christmas seasons Sunday at 4 p.m. The event is free. Homemade cookies and punch will follow the reception.Osceola Coin ClubThe group will meet at Broadway Pizza in the side room every first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. The group will be for trading, selling or buying coins for those interested. Call Ron at 407-944-9718 for information.Fashion showThe Xi Lambda Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority will host its fourth annual Jazz Up Your January Fashion Show and Luncheon Mexican Fiesta Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Osceola County Council on Aging at 11:30 a.m.. Fashions will be presented by Casual Chic of Auburndale. Proceeds raised will benefit local charities. Tickets are $15. For tickets or more information, call 407-931-2222.The N.E., N.Y. N.J. ClubThe New England, New York, and New Jersey club meet the third Tuesday of each month at the senior center, hall B, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud, (through April). Bring a pot luck dish and utensils. For more information, call 407-957-3952.VFW Post 3227The VFW Post 3227, 915 New York Ave., St. Cloud, weekly events are: Monday: draft and longneck domestic beer, $1. Tuesday: 2-for-1 small pitcher and draft from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; happy hour 6 to 8 p.m.; trivia Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; grill food available. New players are welcome. Wednesday: bingo at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited, grill open. Thursday: drink specials; hot dogs and chips from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday: Friday night dinners from 6 to 8 p.m.; karaoke from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday: third Saturday is the shuffleboard tourney at 1 p.m.; fourth Saturday is the cornhole tourney at 1 p.m. Sunday: 50 cents off all drinks all day. A hall rental is available. For more information on events and membership eligibility, call 407-892-6761. Smoking area provided; canteen and hall are smoke free.Tai chi and qigong (Chinese yoga)Tai Chi and qigong (Chinese yoga) classes being offered by Madame Wu Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the St. Cloud Senior Center, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud, and Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m., at the Barney Veal Center, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee. All classes taught by donation. For more information, call Madame Wu at 407-738-7001. The St. Cloud Line Dance Club The St. Cloud Line Dance Club, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud, meets: M onday, novice (2-2:30 p.m.); beginner 2:30-3 p.m.); intermediate (3-5 p.m.). Thursday, novice (5:30-6 p.m.); beginner (6-7 p.m.); intermediate (7-9 p.m.). Its a $1 donation for the day. Call Glenda Brown at 407-7443892 for more information.Driver safety courseA driver safety class will be Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Osceola County Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee. The AARP driver safety program helps participants refine driving skills and develop safe-driving habits. Its $12 for AARP members, $14 for nonmembers. To register, call 407-593-1957.Osceola Republican PartyThe Osceola Republican Party will meet Thursday at Kissimmee City Hall at 7 p.m. For more information call 407-846-8889.DARThe Joshua Stevens Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meetings are held the second Saturday of each month. The group welcomes visitors. Anyone interested in learning more about DAR or need help in searching for possible family members who fought in the war, contact Jan. at 407-846-0676 or Carole at 407-846-1992 for more information.The St. Cloud Womans Club The St. Cloud Womans Clubs next meeting will be Dec. 19 at noon with a wrapped gift auction and holiday luncheon for members and anyone interested in membership. Monthly meetings normally occur on the third Wednesday, September through May, at 1:30 p.m. The clubhouse is located at 1012 Massachusetts Ave. next to the Heritage Museum where members can volunteer. For more information regarding the club, contact club President Jean Witherington at 407-9574347. For information about the museum, contact Lucille McClure, Curator at 407-957-7587. Osceola County Camera ClubThe Osceola County Camera Club invites anyone interested in taking photographs and having a good time to attend the clubs twice-monthly meetings. The club will meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Osceola Center for the Arts in the Edward Moore Studio at 7 p.m. For more information, v isit the website at www.osceola c ountycameraclub.com or th e clubs Facebook page at http://bit. ly/ackyi7.New Years Eve dinner/danceThere will be a New Years Eve dinner/dance at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center and Special Needs Evacuation Center, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud. Its $15 per person for tickets sold through Dec. 15 or $20 per person at the door. Cost includes dinner and live music. Music will be provided by Larry and Sandi. There will be rock, pop, country, rumbas, disco and waltz. For more information, call 407957-7392. Osceola County Fair and Livestock ShowThe 69th Osceola County Fair and Livestock Show will be from Feb. 8-17. The Creative Arts department invites all Osceola County residents young and old to share their talents. It can be baking, canning, quilting, painting, photos, needlework, table settings, cake decorating and so much more. Entries cannot be collected until Monday, Feb. 18, from 3-7 p.m. (the day after the fair closes). Registration for all entries Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 a.m.. until 4 p.m. (4-H youth must register this day only) and Saturday, Jan. 12, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. (items do not submitted until February, this is only to register them). Registration location is at Osceola Heritage Parks KVLS Pavilion. You may get the fees, dates and more information by going to www. osceolacountyfair.com. Look for Community Shows link and find Creative Arts. Call Diann Arthur at 407-9221266 (cell), 434-534-9170 (home), email diannparthur@aol.com or Beverly Frankenberg at 407-8926549 for more information See additional Community Events/News at www.aroundosceola.comBusiness as usual The Osceola Community Orchestra welcomes orchestra musicians high school age and older to our Monday evening rehearsals at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, contact Bill Lauer at 407-892-5011.Making music C OMMUNITY C OMMUNITYNews-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan T he Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce Small Business A wards ceremony was on Dec. 6 at the Kissimee Civic Center. Celebration T own Tavern and M elao Bakery won Small Business of t he Year a nd New Business of t he Y ear, respectively Photos/Osceola County Animal ControlElf, top is a 13-week old, male, black and gray domestic shorthair cat. Elf is a sweet, playful kitten who gets along well with other cats and friendly dogs. Elf was surrendered by his owner who could no longer keep him, and now he needs a permanent home for the holidays. If you would like to meet Elf, come to the Osceola County Andimal Shelter. His identification number is A157116. Titan, below, is a male, 2-year old brown and white American pit bull terrier. Titan is athletic, friendly, playful and full of energy. Titan loves to run around and play and he would do well as the only dog in the family or perhaps with a female pit of his same size to play with. Titan is good with men, women and older children. It is thought that he would be a bit too much for small children. Titan is being sponsored by a staff member who is willing to pay half of his adoption fee, so your cost to adopt Titan would only be $30. If you are interested in adopting Titan, come and visit with him. His identification number is A156741. The shelter is at 3910 Old Canoe Creek Road in St. Cloud. To find out what animals are available, check the Osceola County Animal Control website at www.osceola.org/go/pets. All animals are spayed and neutered before leaving Animal Control. The adoption fee is $60 for a dog and $50 for a cat. For more information, call 407-742-8000. Take me home See Community, page B-6 Whats happening?

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Page B6, Poinciana Christian Church Christmas eventsPoinciana Christian Church, 3181 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee, will have a festive evening of Christmas music at its annual Christmas jazz concert Sunday at 6 p.m. There is no charge. A Christmas Eve service will be at 6 p.m. BVL music programDo you have a desire to learn to sing or play the piano and not break your wallet? For $7, you can have a half hour lesson in either voice and piano every Wednesday between 4 and 5 p.m. Join Trevor Flowers at the Robert Guevara Community Center at 501 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee. For more information, call Flowers at 407-455-4453DAV 148The band Neon Pony will be playing today from 3 to 7 p.m. The DAV will also have a DJ Friday, Dec. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be no DAV/ DAVA meeting Sunday. Ladies Day is every Wednesday, $1 off your drink from 11 a.m. until close. We have barnyard bingo on the first and third Saturday of each month starting at noon. Wear your red shirt on Fridays to show your support for our Troops. Wear one on the second and fourth Friday of each month and the non-premium long necks are $1 from 11 a.m. until close. Our monthly meetings are on the third Sunday each month. DAVA at 2 p.m. and DAV at 3:30 p.m.. Happy hours are 5 to 7 p.m. daily. The service officer is here on Tuesdays from noon until 4 p.m. We are located at 21 E. Keen Street, Kissimmee, phone 407-846-4141.Heel and Toe Square Dance Club Come and dance with the Heel and Toe Western Square Dance Club Monday nights at The Annex, 702 Indiana Ave., St. Cloud. Admission is $5 per person. Dances begin at 7 p.m. Traditional square dance attire is optional. The caller is nationallyknown caller Bill Boyd, editor and publisher of Bow and Swing magazine. Call Paul and Ellen at 407-931-1688 ( home) or 407-319-0790 (cell) for more information. The Friends Who Care Club of Osceola CountyThe Friends Who C are Club of Osceola County will host an afternoon delight benefit to the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa Wednesday, Dec. 5, for the public to enjoy. The club raises funds annually to support The American Cancer Societys efforts in research. On Dec. 5, a bus tip to the casino will be provided with an 11:45 a.m. pick up at the Dyer Blvd. Publix; 12:15 p.m. at Partin Settlement Road, St. Cloud; and 12:45 p.m. at Senior Friends building, Kissimmee. Cost is $25 per person and includes transportation, $25 free play and a $5 meal voucher. Included at the casino will be drawings for cash and prizes. Guests can enjoy the casino from 2 to 7 p.m. and return by 8:30 p.m. For reservations or additional information, call Irene at 407738-5300.One Word At A TimeIf you are an aspiring writer or a published author, join One Word At A Time. Its motto is writers helping writers. It offers education, critique, networking and support to adult fiction writers. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Susans Courtside Cafe, 18 S. Orlando Ave, in Kissimmee. For more information, email Randy Austin at flenviro@gmail.com.. St. Cloud Senior CenterMonday night: Social dance from 7 to 10 p.m. in Hall A. Live band all Mondays, all year, but is subject to hall maintenance scheduling. A donation of $3 per person is requested. Saturday Night: Country dance from 7 to 10 p.m. in Hall A. Live bands November through April; a donation of $3 per person is requested. Other months, music will be by DJ and admission is free. All ages are welcome. Line Dancing Smith N Western Advanced Line Dance Club meets at the St. Cloud Senior Center on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. in Hall A. Lessons and open dance. Basic knowledge of line dance steps is required. All ages welcome. There is a $2 donation is requested. Call instructor Gail Smith at 407-408-5039.American Legion Post 10The American Legion Post 10 is having the following events: Friday, bingo at 5:30 p.m. and seafood dinner until 7:30 p.m. There is a Saturday dinner and dance. Sunday, bingo at 3 p.m. Monday at 6 p.m., karaoke with food served. Tuesday at noon, karaoke with food being served. Barnyard bingo is the first and third Thursday.St. Cloud Pavement PoundersThe St. Cloud Pavement Pounders meet at Crabby Bills Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and running/walking begins at 6:45 p.m.. For more information, call 407791-3296 or mcitation525@ aol.com or Facebook under St. Cloud Pavement Pounders.American Legion EventsThe American Legion of St. Cloud Post 80 will have the following events: Mondays: Bingo at 6 p.m. in the smoke-free Civic Hall. Tuesdays: Dart tournament at 7:30 p.m.. Wednesdays: Italian dinner night ($5.75). Thursdays: Free pool. Wing night 10 for $5. $1 Drafts. Trivia game night 8 p.m. Fridays: Free shuffleboard from 3-7 p.m. Grill menu weekly, prime rib dinners first and third weeks, 5-8 p.m. Karaoke weekly at 8 p.m. Saturdays: fish fry dinner and roadkill bingo first and third weeks; NY strip dinner second and fourth weeks. Sundays: Full breakfast 8-11 a.m.; bar bingo 2-4 p.m. Post 80 is open fro m 10 a.m. 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.5 p.m. Sunday. If you are a veteran, or the spouse, son or daughter CommunityContinued from Page B-5 See Community, page B-7 A ADOPTION Are Yo uPregnant?Childless married couple (in our 30s) seeks to adopt.Will be hands on Mom and devoted Dad. Financially secure, expenses paid. Please call Nicole & Frank1-888-969-6134 A AUTO CASH PAID $300 AND UPFor junk cars and trucksAny condition, running or notFREE TOWINGSame day pick up, no title neededDont Settle for less, believe we pay more than the other guys.CALL 407-900-6490 A ANNOUNCEMENTThe Personal Attention You Deserve...Dr Chris Manlio, FA OCD John H. Levasseur PA-CBoard Certi ed Dermatologist Fellow American MOHS Society By A Board Certi ed Dermatologist Skin Cancer Detection and Treatment MOHS Surgery Mole Removal Botox, Juviderm, Restylane & Radiesse Same Day Appointments 222 Broadway Suite 202Kissimmee, FL 34741 Ph: 407-910-4 71 0Fax: 407-201-7983 or3114 17th StreetSt. Cloud, FL 34769 Ph: 407-910-4 71 0Fax: 407-201-7983TO SEE YOUR AD ON THIS PAGE CALL 407-846-7600 C CASINO TOURS, VACATIONS, FULL SERVICE TRAVELTRINITY VIP TRAVELCasino Tours | Cruises | Vacations352-597-4822 NEW COACHES MYSTERY DRAWINGS & GAMES Biloxi Holiday Specials! Biloxi Holiday Specials!Serving Florida for over 10 years www.trinityviptravel.comPrices subject to change. All vendors terms & conditions apply. IP Casino Resort & Spa does not provide travel and accepts no responsibility for liability resulting from travel. License #ST38447.CHRISTMAS at The Beau $185 pp/dbl (Dec. 23-26) DEC.IP CASINO RESORT$ 145pp/dbl $55 Free Play, 2 Meal Coupons, 2 Casino VisitsBEAU RIVAGE $179 pp/dbl5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTSCHRISTMAS SPECIALIP $ 189pp/dblBEAU $ 219pp/dblDecember 23rd-27thSPEND A DAY IN NEW ORLEANS ONLY $10 PP ADDITIONAL! TRAVEL WITH IP CASINO RESORTS #1 TO UR OPERATOR IN FL 4 Days, 3 Nights Lucky 7 REWARDS PROGRAMTRAVEL 7 TIMESWIN 1 FREECASINO OVERNIGHT GET AWA YCoconut Creek/Hard Rock Hollywood Call for Dates ONLY $119 pp/dbl $90 Free Play $20 Food Coupon w w w w w w w w w w w w w trin $ PROFESSIONALLY ESCORTED TOURS A ADVANCED PLASTIC SURGERY www.yournewlook.com www.yournewlook.com vailableSe habla Espaol With the holidays just around the corner, why not get that new look you have been thinking about? October 1January 31st, enjoy a $500 discount on many surgical procedures, some restrictions apply. Need ideas for loved ones this Christmas or maybe you would like to give an idea to someone for yourself. Take advantage of any of our holiday inspired gifts! (1) Regenerating Holiday Glow Spa Facial customized for your skin type. (4) Image skin care products that will revitalize and refresh. Max Facial Cleanser, Vital C Hydrating Anti Aging Serum, Matte Daily Defense Sunscreen, and Vital C Hydrating Repair Crme. As a bonus, you receive Body and Face Shimmer as well as a Lip Gloss!!! All for the Special Holiday Price of $125!! (retails for well over $300!!!) Only while supplies last!!Offering Complimentary Consultations Inquire About Current Specials A AIR CONDITIONING Homeowners can get $700* cash before ChristmasOsceola county homeowners can get $700 cash right now before Christmas. Plus, get a new air conditioning system without taking a penny out of their pockets. You see, during this Christmas season we ha ve two strikes against us. 1.This time of year the weather is really mild and we dont get a lot of service work. 2.People ha ve to spend so much for Christmas that they will do whatever they can to put off spending money on anything else. Heres how the program works, homeowners can nance a new air conditioning system without taking a penny out of their pocket. We will gi ve them a visa card for $700. For homeowners that decide to pay with cash, instead of nancing, we will reduce their price by $700. Either way the homeowner can sa ve $700. Just imagine, when Christmas is here many of these homeowners can enjoy it like they never ha ve before. Thats because these homeowners will ha ve $700 cash to pay their Christmas bills.Call Janet today at 407-830-1106American Residential Services LLC All Rights reserved, License # CMC129406, Not valid on prior installations Offer ends 12/24/12, with approved credit only *Restrictions apply Call for details Obituaries For daily obituaries and services please visit our Website: aroundosceola.comDORV IL Mrs. Andree L. Dorvil, 79, of, St. Cloud passed away on Tu esday, December 11, 2012. Arrangements under the direction of Osceola Memor y Gardens, St. Cloud. 111012.SNG And Cremation Services rfntbbt btf C fwww.conradandthompson.com

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Saturday, December 15, 2012 NEWS-GAZETTE, Page B7 of a veteran, the post invites you to speak with it regarding membership in the American Legion, Auxiliary, Riders or Sons of the American Legion. For more information, call the post at 407-892-8808 or Mike Turco at 352-5721261. The post is located at 1019 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Cloud Greyhound adoptionsThe public is invited to come every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pet Supermarket, 2924 13th St., St. Cloud, 407-4980929, located one mile east of Walmart, to meet retired racing greyhounds ready for adoption. These are mature, adult dogs and they transition very easily into homes. Most get along great with other dogs and children and many are cat friendly, as well. Get to know the dogs and speak with local greyhound owners. For more information, call Gods Greyts Greyhound Group at 407-578-7496 or go to www.godsgreyts.com.OSCAR ToastmastersOSCAR Toastmasters meets every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Osceola County Realtors Association training room, 105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee. You do not need to be a Realtor to join group to hone your speaking skills. For more information, contact Betty Dobbie at 407846-4500.St. Cloud AARP The St. Cloud AARP Chapter 4001 meets the fourth Monday at the St. Cloud Senior Center, September through May at 12:30 p.m. Bring a potluck dish to share. The center is at 3101 17th Street in St. Cloud. For more information, call Florence Strout at 407-892-9069.St. Cloud Garden ClubThe St. Cloud Garden Club will meet on the second Saturday of each month from October to May at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Cloud Senior Center on 17th Street. Its a pot luck lunch, members should contribute. The topics covered will be information on vegetable plants, flowers, shrubs and trees. There also will be exhibits of live plants and flower arrangements. For more information, call 407-870-0671. Frances Kirby Smith 22 Chapter, Order of Confederate RoseThe Frances Kirby Smith 22 Chapter, Order of Confederate Rose is an independent support group to the Sons of Confederate Veterans and local camps thereof. It is nonprofit, nonracial, nonpolitical and nonsectarian. Confederate ancestry is not required for membership. It assists SCV with its historical, educational, benevolent and social functions. Special emphasis is placed on the preservation of Confederate symbols. The meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Library, Barbara Thornton Room, in St. Cloud. For more information, email franceskirbysmith22ocr@gmail.comOsceola County Support Group for Mental Illness Osceola County Support Group for Mental Illness is a free anonymous support group for bi-polar, depression, anxiety disorders, their families and friends. It meets every Monday evening at the Veterans Memorial Library, 810 13th St., St. Cloud, second floor in the Barbara U. Thornton Room from 7 to 8:30 p.m.. For more information, call 407556-4998 or 407-892-9272 in the evening. Osceola Stamp ClubThe Osceola Stamp Club meets the first and third Wednesday of the month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Barney E. Veal Center, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee. Come trade, sell and meet other stamp collectors. New members are welcome and needed to keep the club going. For more information, call Charles Frazer at 407-2014192. Shop, dine, strollDowntown St. Cloud is alive from 5-9 p.m. on the third Friday evening of every month. Enjoy restaurants, boutiques and antiques. There are always local musicians and artists as well as raffles and door prizes and many other activities throughout the downtown business district. Dance ClubThe English Country Dance Club meets every second Saturday year round at the St. Cloud Senior Citizens Center, 3101 17th Street, St. Cloud, from 2 to 5 p.m. Learn to dance early English style dances, no partner is needed, and beginners are welcome. Cost is $5 per person. Bring a snack to share. For more information call Diana Kehr at 407-847-6055. St. Cloud Horseshoe ClubThe St. Cloud Horseshoe Club invites everyone to join the group. The horseshoe pits are located between the St. Cloud Civic Center and the St. Cloud Senior Center on 17th Street. The 2012-13 tournament schedule is Feb. 9, 2013, March 9, 2013 and April 13, 2013. Members of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) and of the Florida State Horseshoe Pitchers Association (FLSHPA) can qualify to pitch at the tournaments. Tournament director Vickie Marteney may be contacted at 321-297-1802. More information is available at the NHPA website. The clubs practice sessions contacts are: John Grayson at 407-873-8240 and Tom at 321-443-6871.The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War meets at the Senior Center, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud, at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of every other month except for January and July. In those months, the group meets on the second Saturday. For more information, visit http://www.c4dofsuvcw.org/ camp4officers.html Ronald Reagan Republican Gun ClubThe Ronald Reagan Conservative Spirit of Republican Gun Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links, 5310 Michigan Ave, in St. Cloud. For more information or to RSVP, call Donna Sykes at 407-873-2048.Osceola Republican PartyThe Osceola Republican Party meets the fourth Thursday of every month at 804 Emmett St. at 7 p.m. For more information call 407-846-8889.CommunityContinued from Page B-6 A ANIMALS 407.910.4771pet@osceolapetemergency.com www.OsceolaPetEmergency.com200 N. John Young Pkwy Ste FL 34741Hours are Monday Friday 6PM-7AM Saturday 12PM Monday 7AM 24 hours on all holidays.We also offer low cost spay/neuters and low cost vaccinations S SCOOTERS & WHEELCHAIRS SCOOTERS & WHEELCHAIRSIndependent Repairs407-319-8687 Used Scooters Available Lift Installations & Repairs R RESTAURANTS B WINGS WICHES B P BEER & WINE Huge Po r tions w Prices! 1/2 of fAppetizer s Mon-Thur s(with meal pur c hase & coupon)FUN, FOOD & DRINKS DA RTS, BILLIARDS, HDTV, AND VIDEO GAMES Beer Buckets 5 for $10 Kids Eat Free(on select kids menu items) coupon expires 12-31-12THE MANOR BAR AND GRILL4310 Deer Run Road Saint Cloud, FL 34772 (407) 891-2181 NKS BREAKFAST LUNCH, DINNER... WE DELIVER! B BANKRUPTCY-BANKRUPTCY-FORECLOSURE-FREE CONSUL TATIONBRIAN M. MARK, ESQ. Attorney at LawPracticing Since 1971407-932-3933100 Church Street, Kissimmeewww. marklaw rm.com N NUTRITION NUTRICION Pleasant Hill Rd.John Young Pkwy BeallsRossN Nutrition/Nutricion Circle Discover the Bene ts of a Daily Shake3265 S. John Young Parkway Kissimmee FL 34746(863) 255-3876 NOW OPEN! Monday Friday 7 am 7:30 pm Saturday 7 am 1 pm Lunes Viernes 7 am 7:30 pm Sabado 7 am 1 pm Now Open Nutrition Circle Live A Healthy Life Come On In And Have A Healthy SmoothieAhora Abierto El Nuevo Club de Nutricion Vi va La Vi da Saludable To mese suSabila (Mango) Te (4 Sabores) Batida (8 Sabores) P PRESCHOOL Doesnt Your Child Deser ve a 5-Star Preschool?Now accepting enrollment for VPK Pre-K 4 (eligibility required ) and Pre-K 3 (2, 3,4 or 5 days). Full/Part time hour s av ailableChristian Environment All teachers have at least a CDA or higher degree in Early childhood Education and 30 years of teaching experienceLic.# C07OS0024 director@gsc a.org Grace Lutheran School407-892-9814 1123 Louisiana Av e, St. Cloud 34769 C CHURCH November-April 8:15am & 11:00am Traditional 9:40am Contemporary May-October 9:40am Contemporary 11:00am Traditional Hispana-Brasilera Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida 10:30am FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHKissimmee 101 West Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, Florida 34741 407-847-3700Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.The people of The United Methodist Church FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHKissimmee December 24th5:00 pm Family Service with Candlelight 8:00 pm Contemporary Service with Candlelight 10:00 pm Traditional Service with Holy Communion and Candlelight www.kissimmeefumc.org101 West Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, Florida 34741 407-847-3700 C CHURCH R RESTAURANT Open for Lunch and DinnerTuesday Friday 11:30-2:30 & 4-10 407-572-8719www.SavionsPlace.comDAILY SPECIALSHAPPY HOUR 4-6 & 8-10We use local produce & locally brewed beer Mention this ad for a 10% discount Kids EAT FREE TuesdaysPRIVATE PA RTIES TO SEE YOUR AD ON THIS PAGE CALLJODY, KEITH, OR KELLY AT407-846-7600 TO SEE YOUR AD ON THIS PAGE CALL JODY, KEITH, OR KELLY AT 407-846-7600 D DESIGNSBEST PRICES ANYWHEREUnique DesignsSeashell Art Come See Our Huge Display of Silk & Seashell Art Trees Everything for Home & Of Open Frida days 10am to 4pm Monday thru Thursday by Appt. Only407-957-25484175 Old Canoe Creek Rd., St. Cloud Emergency Walk-Ins WelcomeTHE PATIENT OR ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED PRICE SERVICE EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. OFFICE VISIT & X-RAYS ARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE. P rices RICES areARE forFOR patientsPATIENTS withoutWITHOUT insuranceINSURANCE onlyONLY present PRESENT coupon COUPON at AT chec CHEC K in IN .MID FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOC.F AMILY & C OSMETIC DENTISTRY DR. R RAJESH S SHARMA 809 E. Oak St., Suite 101, Kissimmee 407-870-5004123111.SNG Dentureseach $420 code 5110 SECoupons offer not valid with insurance claims ONE HOUR T EEEE T HH W H H IT EN EN I N N G(Upper & lower)$35000Custom Dentures Se Habla Espaol Temporary Partialseach $400 code 5820 SECoupons offer not valid with insurance claims Simple Extractions$80 code 7110 SECoupons offer not valid with insurance claims Crowns/Bridges each unit code 2751 code 6751 code 6241 code 6751$400Coupons offer not valid with insurance claims Introductory Offer$75Consultation 0272 B.W. X-Rays 1110 ProhylaxisCoupons offer not valid with insurance claims CLEANING with this ad with this ad with this ad with this ad